ATLANTA -- When the Braves acquired him from the Marlins in November, Dan Uggla confirmed he wanted his stay in Atlanta to last more than one year. With Spring Training quickly approaching, the second baseman appears to have gained both his wish and much greater financial security.
A Major League source confirmed Tuesday night that the Braves and Uggla have agreed to the terms of a five-year, $62 million contract extension. This puts the 30-year-old in position to remain in Atlanta through at least the end of the 2015 season.
The Braves and Uggla were unable to publicly comment on this deal, which is pending a physical. An official announcement could be made Thursday.
When general manager Frank Wren acquired Uggla from the Marlins in exchange for utility man Omar Infante and left-handed reliever Mike Dunn, he seemed quite confident that this would prove to be more than simply a one-year relationship.
Uggla was in position to exit as one of the more attractive pieces available via the free-agent market next winter. But he immediately made it known that he'd enjoy the opportunity to remain in Atlanta for more than one season.
"I'm very interested in staying here for longer than just a year," said Uggla, when he was officially introduced by the Braves on Nov. 19.
The Braves had a couple of advantages when they began these contract negotiations. Their new manager, Fredi Gonzalez, had developed a strong bond with Uggla while serving as his skipper with the Marlins during most of the past four seasons.
In addition, Uggla was excited about the opportunity to play close to his friends and family members who still live in his hometown of Columbia, Tenn., which is a little more than three hours northwest of Atlanta.
The Marlins quickly traded Uggla after he reportedly declined a four-year, $48 million extension. Florida owner Jeffrey Loria was seemingly disturbed by the All-Star's insistence to gain a five-year deal.
"If somebody wants to give him five years, good luck to them," Loria told reporters during November's General Managers Meetings. "He's 31 years old."
Uggla, who will turn 31 in March, is coming off an impressive 2010 campaign. He produced career highs in batting average (.287), homers (33) and RBIs (105).
The Braves targeted Uggla to serve as the powerful right-handed bat that they needed in the middle of their lineup. He has hit at least 30 homers in each of his past four seasons, and the 154 homers he has compiled over the past five seasons are 20 more than the total amassed by any other Major League second baseman.
The Phillies' Chase Utley and the Yankees' Robinson Cano are the only second basemen to produce an OPS greater than the .837 mark that Uggla has posted during his first five seasons.
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